Interview, Peter Ellis 5th Overall at 2013 Chuckanut 50k
A twenty year history sets the Chuckanut 50k in Bellingham, WA on the top of any To-do 50k lists. Chuckanut 50k includes mud, flats, and a little bump called Chinscraper. The mix of terrain attracts a field of elite trail runners from all backgrounds. The 2013 Chuckanut 50k was no different in terms of stout competition. Top-5 overall all ran under 3:55. Even for a road 50k that's fast. This year, Chuckanut 50k was the Pacific NW Regional USATF Championship race. Below is an interview with 5th overall Peter Ellis of Bellingham, WA.
What were the conditions like pre-race? Pre-race was actually pretty pleasant, mid to high 40's, no rain, just overcast. How long have you been training for this event specifically? I kind of always train for Chuckanut, but focus on other races along the way. This year I battled a couple injuries so didn't race coming into it as much as I would have preferred. What were your pre-race goals, and ambitions? I was hoping for a PR, and a top 5 or 10 finish, not really knowing my competition. Where did you position yourself at the starting line? At the start, I just lined up in the second row, keeping a low profile! When did you settle into your finishing position or was it a battle for place until the end? Once the race started, I eased into about 6 min pace, knowing this pace is easy for me, but should position me relatively well going into the Middle 18. I typically play it conservative in the first 7ish miles. Take us through the race (first 10k, chinscraper, last 10k) Chinscraper was a bitch this year. I was running with a fella who got 4th, and unfortunately he made me do all the work, which proved tough, but also spurred me on a bit. I think I ran up it in 11ish minutes, and thankfully did not vomit or die. During the last stretch, I felt decent to start, clipping along in 6:10's, and ran down a couple fellas, but shortly after "the dip", a short steep down, followed by a short steep up (about 4 miles from the finish), that was all she wrote, I limped home in about 6:30 pace. I ran with 4th place finisher Daniel Kraft nearly the whole race until the Fragrance downhill where he put 3 min on me, which I only got 2:30 of back. Together we worked our way from 13th and 14th to our eventual 4th and 5th spots, most of our passing came along Cleator road, and then again on the last flat stretch. First thoughts after the race? Chair, coffee, beer, dammit, why didn't I run harder for 4th, or work harder to at least challenge for 3rd!? Oh yeah, I felt mildly like shit throughout the day! Next planned event? A return to work as a climbing ranger at Mt. Rainier on April 2nd, and hopefully a few ski descents from the top! Then Yakima Skyline Rim 25K April 21. Top-5 Results: David Laney, Ashland, OR 3:40:16 CR Max King, Bend, OR 3:43:06 Maxwell Ferguson Ravensdale, WA 3:47:30 Daniel Kraft, Telluride, CO 3:52:10 Peter Ellis, Bellingham, WA 3:52:47